ROON

[Confused]

Ummmm. It's hard to say how many iTunes users there are as you are kind of forced to subscribe just by using an iPhone. But it's a touch higher that 14000, a hundred million or so maybe. It's early days for Roon though, you've got to start somewhere!

[Hifi_swlon]

Does anyone know how many Roon subscribers there are?  I'm a Roon subscriber, and I do use it, but if I'm honest I'm waiting to see what the next update looks like, and depending on what features appear (or don't appear) I might just let my subscription lapse.  I understand why people love it, but it's not for everyone.  I feel a poll coming on....

I think I saw 14k somewhere but it might be more now.

My biggest bugbear is the lack of Qobuz integration, my understanding is that this is unlikely to happen now.

Other than that it's perfect for me really. I think it was very smart of Totaldac to jump on this and deliver the goods quickly.

Guillaume

Yeah, but you won't need Roon once Qobuz release their Roon-like features that are apparently imminent...

[mdconnelly]

I first tried the Roon trial about a year ago (after having been into the Squeezebox world since almost the beginning).   Now, I can't imagine streaming without Roon.  Jumped for the lifetime license.  I use it mostly with my microRendu to my Expert.   Doing so with the microRendu as the RoonReady endpoint sounds best.  But I can also easily switch the microRendu to a Squeezelite endpoint which then let's me group my Devialet with other Squeezebox endpoints in my house for whole-house playback.   Works great.   I love the Roon product as well as the company.  And in my book, they are the new benchmark in customer support.   Devialet could learn much from them.

Personally, I think being RoonReady would sell more Experts and Pro upgrades if committed to on the new streaming board.  Certainly it offers far more than Spark will.   But waiting to see RoonReady adopted on a yet to be defined new Devialet streaming board that will only work on the new Pros to be released sometime next year is just way too big a leap for me to place any hope on.   Time will tell (and likely, far more than we'll have patience for).

[Hifi_swlon]

I first tried the Roon trial about a year ago (after having been into the Squeezebox world since almost the beginning).   Now, I can't imagine streaming without Roon.  Jumped for the lifetime license.  I use it mostly with my microRendu to my Expert.   Doing so with the microRendu as the RoonReady endpoint sounds best.  But I can also easily switch the microRendu to a Squeezelite endpoint which then let's me group my Devialet with other Squeezebox endpoints in my house for whole-house playback.   Works great.   I love the Roon product as well as the company.  And in my book, they are the new benchmark in customer support.   Devialet could learn much from them.

Personally, I think being RoonReady would sell more Experts and Pro upgrades if committed to on the new streaming board.  Certainly it offers far more than Spark will.   But waiting to see RoonReady adopted on a yet to be defined new Devialet streaming board that will only work on the new Pros to be released sometime next year is just way too big a leap for me to place any hope on.   Time will tell (and likely, far more than we'll have patience for).

I could have written that post myself (well, apart from the squeezelite bit).

The last part made me laugh. Well, theyve given themselves what, at least eight months to bring it in on time. They said they made the pro range in less time than that, so I can't see how they could fail. Other than the fact that it is part software (which they're rubbish at) and just the mere fact that they appear incapable of sticking to any dates they needlessly make public.

Luckily we know they have fallback options - and could simply get an existing card altered to fit the experts. In a way it might be better for all of us if they struggle with their plan A, and go for the fallback.

[AllenB]

Devialet are too arrogant on Spark to bow to Roon. For goodness sake, they are not even talking to them, despite Danny @Roon making opening advances to them.

Makes the whole new streaming board academic to me, without Roon it has no value to me.

Do not under-estimate the software development aspect, hardware manufacturers (especially in hi-fi) are rarely cutting edge good at software, many have tried and really do not cut the mustard.

[octaviars]

Devialet are too arrogant on Spark to bow to Roon. For goodness sake, they are not even talking to them, despite Danny @Roon making opening advances to them.

Makes the whole new streaming board academic to me, without Roon it has no value to me.

Do not under-estimate the software development aspect, hardware manufacturers (especially in hi-fi) are rarely cutting edge good at software, many have tried and really do not cut the mustard.

I feel the same. Without Roon and only Spark the streamerboard is not much value to me either. 

Just look at the Roon Ready list of all the high end companys like dCS, Constellation among others that have jumped on the Roon train. As you say focus on the hardware and use a existing and fully functional software to control the music.

[mdconnelly]

Interesting... in the upgrade email I just received from Devialet for my D200, they stated that I would receive the streaming board, an $1800 value, for free in 2017 if I upgrade.

I've scratching my head a bit about that $1800 streaming board price... just who will actually pay that?   If you buy a new Pro, the board will be provided free.   If you upgrade, the board will be provided free.   And it won't work in the existing Experts.    And I have to think that once the new boards are actually available, they will automatically be bundled in new Pros.

[Hifi_swlon]

No, apparently the board will be an optional extra on the pro in 2017. At Euro 1,500.

Of course this may turn out to be false. Or, if it's rubbish, will end up included for free as no one will buy them.

I'm still struggling to see how they'll manage it - will they keep manufacturing the old board to ship free for those that won't want the new one? Seems unlikely. Or provide nothing - no Ethernet or USB? Seems more unlikely. The only thing I can think is (if they stick to their word) it will be an optional extra only in that you have to pay more for a pro, which includes the 'pro' streamer board. Ie the pros go up in price.

[Hifi_swlon]

Expert volume control from Roon via RS232 in the upcoming Roon API, according to a post by Danny.

I'm not sure I'd trust my (new ) Devialet to Roons volume sliders, but I can't anyway now I've gone microRendu and the Macs at the other end if the house. Interesting though.

[thumb5]

You're teasing again...when will the beans be spilt?